Is this normal? (broken diff cover with video)

[TimS]

Hello, I visiting from the off road forum. Working on a new-to-me race buggy with a 5 rib and high comp 1600 single port engine, and I am noticing a bit of for-aft/up-down play in the left side output shaft.

Here is a video... (click for video)




So, my question... Is this something that I should pull the trans and send it to get rebuilt? Is there a bearing I can replace here? Or should I let it ride. Budget is always a concern.

Thanks for your help.

-Tim

[Marc]

Video's not working so I can't see how bad it is, but you're describing a bad differential carrier bearing. Doesn't require going into the gear section of the trans at all so in that respect it's not a major problem, but it is important that the ring & pinion engagement and carrier bearing preload are correct (and changing that bearing can affect both) so it's a job I'd leave to a pro with the right tools.

[TimS]

Okay. thanks Marc. That's kind of good news. I'll talk to the trans guy.

don't know why the video isn't working, but regardless...

Thanks again.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I was able to look at the video but it took a bit of buffering.

Lee

[raygreenwood]

mark is most probably spot on that it is a worn differntial side bearing but here is something important to look for.

There is supposed to be a thrust ring between the CV joint flange and the face of each end of the differential housing whose purpose is to keep axial play of the CV flange and differential side shafts to a minimum. It alaso helps to keep the stub shafts loaded close to the thrust washer inside of the differential to keep from pounding and cupping them...and to keep the stub shafts from backing too deeply into the spyder gears and wearing the tube spacer inside of the the differential excessively. It also prolongs the life of the seal in the adjusting ring by not allowing axial movement in and out of the seal by the CV hub.

This thrust spacer commonly drops off when one removes the outer CV flange to change a seal becaue it can stick to the face of the CV flange and be unseen and drop off.

Mark is right...you should have the side bearings (both) inspected and or replaced and adjusted properly if you cannot do them yourself. But...you also need to make sure the thrust rings are there.

They are part # 113 517 281. These rings can also get beat up when a PO does not properly install the CV hub snap ring and it comes off and is driven this way and slips in and out pounding on the thrust rings. Check the Bentley manual for the tolerance between hub, thrust ring and differential housing. Ray

[TimS]

Interesting, thanks. I'll look in the morning.

[TimS]

Good news... Picked up the transmission today after my "trans guy" did a complete tear down, inspection and rebuild. It's all fixed. The "super diff cover" (his words, not mine) sheered off where the bearing mounted, plus misc. tune up parts. Total $325!! He said if I had run it any more, the ring would be broken, but he did a complete inspection and everything looks good (whew).





Thanks for the advice... I've changed the title to refect the problem for those lost googling souls.

[BAJA-IT]

Good to here you got it fixed. Now let's go RACE!